12/16/2025
Interesting one from Paranormal After Dark Pennsylvania.
Here are some interesting facts about the holiday season around the world. Are you familiar with any of these?
Quirky Customs & Creatures
🍗 KFC for Christmas in Japan: Due to a successful 1970s ad campaign, eating Kentucky Fried Chicken is a major Christmas tradition.
👹Krampus in Austria: A horned, demonic figure who punishes naughty children, a dark counterpart to Saint Nicholas.
🛼Roller Skating in Venezuela: People often skate to Christmas Mass on Christmas Eve.
🕸️ Spider-Web Trees in Ukraine: Trees are decorated with artificial spiderwebs for good luck.
🐐 The Gävle Goat in Sweden: A giant straw goat is built annually, only to be frequently burned down by vandals.
🧹 Hiding Brooms in Norway: On Christmas Eve, Norwegians hide their brooms to prevent witches from stealing them.
Historical Oddities & Origins
🎅 Santa's Red Suit: While Saint Nicholas was red-robed, Coca-Cola heavily popularized the modern image in the 1930s.
❌”Xmas" Origin: 'X' comes from the Greek letter Chi (X), the first letter of Christ.
🔔 First Song in Space: "Jingle Bells" was played by Gemini 6 astronauts in 1965.
🕯️Flammable Trees: Early Christmas trees were decorated with real, flammable candles.
Surprising Traditions
🥒 Christmas Pickles in Germany: A pickle ornament is hidden in the tree for children to find, with the finder getting a small gift.
😈 Burning the Devil in Guatemala: Bonfires are lit on December 7th to burn effigies of the devil, clearing the way for Mary.
🪵 Catalan Caga Tió: A log is fed and "pooped" presents for children in Catalonia, Spain.
Have a great day everyone!